CROSS-LINKED NANOSPHERES OF POLY(2-CINNAMOYLETHYL METHACRYLATE) WITH IMMEDIATELY ATTACHED SURFACE FUNCTIONAL-GROUPS

A polyisoprene-block-poly(2-cinnamoyethyl methacrylate) (PI-b-PCEMA) s ample with a narrow molar mass distribution was prepared and character ized. The sample formed spherical micelles in hexanes/THF with 20% of THF by volume. After photo-cross-linking of the PCEMA care took place, the PI corona block was cleft by ozone and (CH3)(3)P treatment to pro duce PCEMA nanospheres with surface carbonyl groups or PCEMA-CO nanosp heres. These spheres were stable without any added surfactant in a goo d solvent for PCEMA. Reaction of the carbonyl groups with cyclopentadi ene catalyzed by pyrrolidine yielded fulvene-covered nanospheres, PCEM A-FV nanospheres, which possessed better solubility in organic solvent s than the PCEMA-CO spheres. This work represents the first attempt at the preparation of cross-linked nanospheres with immediately attached surface functional groups from block copolymers. When appropriately f unctionalized, these nanospheres should be useful as solid lubricant o r support for catalysts.